For the princess, her new advisor was many things. She was inquisitive, disrespectful at times, and a little arrogant in her advices. Elena had taken several decisions for the princess and was quick to push those instructions onto her, like another woman in her life.

But despite all of that, princess Isabella found the other woman to be, somewhat, helpful. It was probably because she was the first one to explain political matters to the princess without an ulterior motive, or because Elena knew when to step back and maintain a distance with her.

Whatever it was, it had caused the blonde princess to see the advisor in a new light.

Just like how the princess had wanted, they had finished up collecting several baskets of oranges from the gardens. It had been noon when they completed their task and made their way back to the castle with just one stop on the way.

Princess Isabella wanted to take one basket like she usually did each week to the orphanage, but Elena had been adamant on taking two. This trivial matter had the princess respecting Elena a little more and her impression of the advisor turned better.

Elena wasn’t horrible or cruel, like Princess Isabella’s brother was. The princess expected someone similar to Oanez at least, who would keep things to himself without reprimanding the prince’s aloof and detrimental decisions.

No, advisor Elena was different.

“Welcoming the princess!” Princess Isabella turned her attention to the carriage door as she heard the overjoyed address.

“We’re here, your Highness.” Her advisor notified as she exited the carriage from the other side. In only a few moments, the princess’ side of the door opened to reveal Elena, holding out a hand for her to hold onto. “Your Highness.”

There was something about the advisor which had the princess vigilant, despite the other’s straightforward behavior. Holding onto the hand extended for her, the princess got out of the carriage and stood before the structure of the orphanage.

Two familiar faces greeted her with wide smiles as the princess quickly reciprocated. “How have you both been?” The two women remained delighted as they bowed their heads in respect. “We awaited the princess’ arrival! Even the children asked about your Highness several times.”

Elena noticed the familiarity in their tones as she observed their behaviors properly. She still wanted to be certain that the princess wasn’t in any danger. Both of them looked older than the Queen herself, which already made them less threatening, but no one could really know a person from just their appearance.

When the two women’s gaze drifted to the advisor, Elena straightened her back and bowed her head appropriately. “Asking the princess for permission to introduce myself.”

Isabella raised an eyebrow in amusement as she nodded her head. “Go ahead.”

“I am the princess’ advisor, Elena Rubio.”

The two women glanced at one another before they turned to the princess with pleased expressions. “The princess can now have someone to look after her when she sneaks out then.” Elena was surprised as the two older women chuckled causing the princess’ cheeks to darken with embarrassment.

“W-Where are the children? We brought fruits.” Elena was certain to pick up the use of a collective pronoun, as she glanced at the red-faced princess. “I’ll bring them out of the carriage, your Highness.” Princess Isabella didn’t have to say anything more to the advisor as she watched Elena go into the carriage.

“Let us go inside then, your Highness.” One of the women smiled knowingly as she made way for the princess.

Their entire interaction had caused the princess embarrassment but then again, she also agreed with their previous statement. Elena did look out for the princess despite becoming her advisor only recently.

While the princess was guided inside of the orphanage, Elena had brought out the two baskets and was following them a few feet away. The entire stone building wasn’t anything grand or spectacular. It was quite ordinary with a center open courtyard which the princess and Elena, both watched with soft gazes.

Multiple children played there amongst one another but as soon as one of them noticed the princess, all of them were running towards her.

Instinctively, Elena widened her eyes and stood in front of the princess in a protective stance which didn’t go unnoticed by the said woman. “They’re just children.” Elena cleared her throat when the blonde princess slapped her arm with an amused laugh.

“Apologies, your Highness.” Something flashed in the blonde’s eyes before she turned away from her advisor and over to the children.

Surprisingly, the children had stopped a few feet away from the royal and were now bowing their heads in respect. The two older women smiled at the discipline of the children which was, obviously, taught.

“Greetings to her royal Highness!”

The princess smiled before she took one of the baskets from Elena’s hands and brought it towards the children. “We brought oranges!”

As soon as the baskets were offered, the children were filled with excitement as they accepted them with wide smiles.

“They all hold you in such high regards, your Highness.” One of the women spoke after the children had gone off with the fruits.

Elena smiled when the princess shook her head dismissively. “It’s just a small favor for the children. This is the least we can do for our people.” The smile on Elena’s face turned into a frown as she realized that the princess was still talking with a collective pronoun. Our. Did she also mean the King, Queen, and the prince, who didn’t even know that the princess had been doing this for who knew how long?

“It’s fortunate for the children to have the princess come to see them by herself. We are greatly appreciative of your Highness.”

The princess waved her hand dismissively as she watched the two women bow their heads. Elena had remained frowning as she thought about certain matters. She had to discuss so many things with Oanez but before conversing with him, she had to talk to the princess on their next steps.

From the advisor’s perspective, Princess Isabella wasn’t like how she had been perceived by the advisor at first. Her first impression of the princess was of a young woman who did whatever she liked while disobeying her parents. And then there was the entire problem with the garden keepers. She had stolen fruits and had been identified which also brought Elena to the conclusion that perhaps the princess was just a troublemaker, who held no regards for her royal family.

But from what Elena was seeing, the princess was nothing but greatly misunderstood.

.......................

The princess sat silently in front of Elena, who looked deep in thought. She didn’t really want to disturb the advisor as she looked out the carriage window. They were going to reach the castle soon anyway.

But that wasn’t why the princess felt unrest. She was still thinking about what Elena had said to her in the gardens, on the way to leave the castle and get fruits for the orphanage every week. They had to pay for the two baskets for the day since the princess was working in the gardens as a sort of punishment, and it would look bad for her if she also went ahead and took two baskets of fruits without paying.

So, Elena chose to pay and even go along with everything the princess had wanted.

It wasn’t anything too grand, but for the princess, it was enough to convince her that Elena was indeed on her side.

“Alright!”

The princess jolted in surprise as she looked away from the window and back to the advisor in front of her. “Sorry.” Elena smiled apologetically seeing how she had scared the princess. “I told you I had a plan on leaving the castle every week and getting fruits to the children.”

The princess nodded her head with interest.

“Well, we can work on what you are going to say to the Queen and King as soon as we reach the castle, or perhaps at dinner time. You can decide on the timing.” Isabella raised an eyebrow as she looked at Elena, which didn’t go unnoticed by the advisor. “We just need to have the prince around when you talk to the King and Queen.”

“Why?” The princess was confused since she had been in many situations where the prince was around her and he had nothing of importance to say. He had only been demeaning while the Queen would also pick his side. It was just last night that it happened.

Elena leaned forward as she explained with great patience. “The gardens are under the prince’s jurisdiction, and anything regarding them is going to have to reach his ears anyway. If your Highness speaks to the Queen when he isn’t around, it might seem like you are complaining to your mother behind his back,” The princess scoffed as she crossed her arms. She knew that she could only complain about him to her father, who would comfort her to no avail. He wasn’t as influential as the Queen. “But, if you have this conversation with the Queen while the prince is around, it will seem like you are bringing up a matter for discussion rather than informing the Queen of what the prince is doing. His authority wouldn’t be questioned, and the Queen would also see you in a different light.”

Everything that Elena had said made sense to the princess, who nodded her head in understanding. But what was this discussion going to be? Elena hadn’t mentioned it.

Before the princess could ask her advisor the question she had thought of, Elena was already sharing her plan with the princess.